The weekly work search rule in Missouri
At least 3 work search activities each week you request payment, unless the Division tells you otherwise. Each day of part-time work or online training in the week counts as one activity.
Enter each work search activity in UInteract during the week or when you file your Weekly Request for Payment. Select Weekly Request for Payment, then Enter Work Search Details, and save each activity.
File and certify on the Missouri Department of Labor and Industrial Relations, Division of Employment Security site. The rules can change, so check DES's work search page if a letter from them says something different.
| Missouri rule | |
|---|---|
| Each week | At least 3 work search activities each week you request payment, unless the Division tells you otherwise. Each day of part-time work or online training in the week counts as one activity. |
| How you report it | Enter each work search activity in UInteract during the week or when you file your Weekly Request for Payment. Select Weekly Request for Payment, then Enter Work Search Details, and save each activity. |
| Enter each activity online | Yes, each activity goes into the state system |
| Agency | Missouri Department of Labor and Industrial Relations, Division of Employment Security |
Source: Missouri Department of Labor and Industrial Relations, Division of Employment Security (labor.mo.gov), checked 2026-10-20.
What counts as a work search activity in Missouri
Missouri Department of Labor and Industrial Relations, Division of Employment Security lists these:
- Searching for work on MoJobs.gov
- Going to a Reemployment Services and Eligibility Assessment (RESEA) appointment
- Responding to a Missouri Job Center work referral
- Going to a Missouri Job Center workshop
- Submitting a paper job application
- Visiting employers about job openings
- Going to job interviews, in person or online
- Going to job fairs
- Following up with employers about job openings
- Completing an application on an employer website
- Creating a profile on a job or networking site such as LinkedIn or Indeed
- Creating a reemployment plan
- Creating a resume
- Part-time work or online training, counted per day
- Union members with a hiring hall: contacting the hall 3 times in the week or union training
Who does not have to search for work in Missouri
You do not need the 3 activities if you are in approved training, have a definite recall date from an employer, or are part of a Shared Work Program.
Keep your work search log free
Write down each activity the day you do it: the date, the employer, how you contacted them, the job, and what happened. If the state asks to see your search, the log is your proof.
The free work search log in Capstone Careers keeps it for you: each application you send through Capstone Careers goes on it by itself, you add the ones you do elsewhere, and you can save the week as a PDF.
Need more applications to reach your number? See openings near you and get a resume written for each one.
Training while you are on unemployment in Missouri
If you want to train for a new job, WIOA can pay for approved training if you qualify. See how WIOA works in Missouri.
Approved training is on DES's list of exemptions above, so ask DES before you start.